Our Team
Virology Team
Our team at MLW Virology brings together scientists, clinicians, and community specialists dedicated to improving child health through cutting-edge research. From laboratory diagnostics and vaccine trials to bioinformatics and community engagement, each member contributes unique expertise that strengthens our collective mission. Together, we drive innovation, uphold ethical transparency, and ensure our work has real impact for Malawi and beyond.
Prof Khuzwayo Jere
Group Lead & Global Health Professor
Prof Jere leads the Virology Research Group at MLW and is a Professor of Global Health at the University of Liverpool. He co-founded the African Enteric Viruses Genome Initiative and oversees Malawi’s Diarrhoea Surveillance Programme. His work focuses on rotavirus evolution, vaccine effectiveness, and immunology
Dr. Prisca Benedicto -Matambo
Deputy Group Lead & Immunology PhD Student
Prisca studies immune imprinting effects of the RV3-BB rotavirus vaccine in Malawian infants. She holds an MSc in Infection, Immunity & Human Disease from University of Leeds and is jointly registered at University of Liverpool and KUHeS
Jonathan Mandolo
Research Scientist & PhD Fellow
Jonathan investigates vaccine underperformance in low-income settings, focusing on maternal microbiome and infant gut health. He holds a BSc in Medical Laboratory Sciences and an MSc in Bioinformatics, and is pursuing a PhD at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Clara Heavenly Majego
Pre-Masters Trainee
Clara holds a BSc in Immunology (Malawi University of Science and Technology, 2024). She is a Pre-Master’s Trainee at MLW, contributing to virology projects in immunology, serology, and molecular biology. Previously, she interned with the Maternal and Fetal Health Group on the Trained Immunity Atlas study (TIA).
Amidah Luhanga
Pre-MSc Intern (EFGH)
Amidah holds a first-class BSc (Hons) in Medical Laboratory Science from KUHeS. She is exploring the sero-epidemiology of Shigella in Malawi, focusing on antibody responses and population-level immunity. Skilled in Luminex multiplex immunoassays, RStudio, and GraphPad
Dr Alexander (Alex) Stockdale
Clinical Academic & Collaborator
Alex is a Senior Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases at the University of Liverpool. He worked at MLW between 2017–2019 and returned in 2024, leading research on viral hepatitis and HIV in Malawi. His work focuses on hepatitis B/C epidemiology and treatment programmes
Dr. Desiree Witte
Clinical Researcher & Vaccinology Specialist
Dr. Witte is a physician and clinical researcher originally from the Netherlands, with extensive experience in tropical infectious diseases and vaccine studies. She has worked with Médecins Sans Frontières and UNHCR before joining MLW, where she contributes to rotavirus and diarrhoeal disease research. Her work has helped demonstrate the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines in Malawi, reducing diarrhoeal disease burden and strengthening immunization programmes
Innocent Chibwe
Research Scientist – Infectious Diseases
Innocent is a researcher with the UNC Malawi Project and Public Health Institute of Malawi. His work focuses on cholera outbreaks, rapid diagnostic test evaluations, and genomic epidemiology, contributing to improved public health responses in Malawi.
Dr. Chikondi Malamba-Banda
Laboratory Scientist & Researcher
Chikondi is a PhD-trained researcher jointly affiliated with the University of Liverpool and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. She has extensive experience in laboratory science, public health, and infectious disease research. Her work has focused on HIV diagnostics in infants, immune restoration in people living with HIV, and strengthening laboratory systems in Malawi. She currently serves as Laboratory Manager at UNC Project–Malawi while continuing to collaborate with MLW on virology and immunology studies.
Dr. Alox Kamng'ona
Associate Professor of Molecular Biology
Dr. Kamng'ona is an Associate Professor of Molecular Biology at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. He holds a PhD in Infection and Immunity from the University of Liverpool. His research focuses on the human microbiome and its impact on health and disease in African settings, using metagenomics and bioinformatics tools to uncover new insights into infectious disease dynamics.